I set off for the Snuggley Wuggley, sorry the University of Sidecars, the name for the event this year on Thursday morning. Just after joining the A1, I caught Bob and Helen up on their BMW and ETH. So we travelled together in glorious weather and surprisingly very little traffic.
Arriving just after lunch time, which I thought was nice and early, only to find several there already. Thursday evening I know I was there but can’t recall a thing, I don’t think I was drunk, but everything was a blur. That’s it, I remember now, Frank the organiser was running about all over the place and somehow you can’t help but think, maybe has he over done it a little bit this year.
Oh blast, thats blown it. Day time riding only.
Friday morning and the Wheels contingent were getting a little concerned as Jeff and Ann hadn’t turned up, it turned out they had stopped for a slap up breakfast. Later on I took a ride around the local area, filled up at a local filling station where someone tried to wipe out a set of pumps.
I stocked up on food from the Co-op and a cracking local butchers, then headed back and cooked a late lunch. Evening approaching and various people slipped out and came back with fish and chips, I convinced Pearl that fish and chips would be better on the Saturday and she believed me.
At around 165 miles to get to Alcaster Malbis and with Lesley departing after work at around 4pm, I was expecting her to turn up at around 7:30 pm, so when she pulled in at just after 6:30pm, I knew the little 600 must have been set on hyper drive. In her haste she forgot to pack her air mat, but Adam came to the rescue with a spare camp bed he had in his sidecar.
A pair of prize winning Hedinghams.
Frank still just a blur trying to get everything in place, by now looked a tad overworked. Reception tent with drinks machine, all kinds of lights, film screen, stage and lighting, PA system, Patio brazier, fire pit, fire wood, straw bales for seating, etc etc. Again the night passed with me not having a clue, where, how, what and why. I know I wandered around, chatted with several rally goers, watched some of the Blues Brothers on the big screen. In the blink of an eye it was well past midnight so we headed to bed.
Sparkley Silver trike.
Then the music, well radio transmissions from the PA system got louder, (what was that all about?) so got up as I thought it was morning, but it wasn’t. No wonder I was confused, so were the couple in the caravan next to me, who asked, “ is this normal?” and, “ will it be like this on the Saturday evening?”To which I replied “no, well yes and yes, well no, it could be worse”. See, totally confused.
A very nice Saluki.
Saturday morning and any chance of a lay in was scuppered, with Frank “I have a PA and I am going to use it” blasting out the local radio station to all on site. Various announcements were made and I don’t really know how many went on the run-out. I promised Lesley a trip on the river boat to York and most of the site also decided to take the boat. When the boat docked I asked Ann would she like to go on top, she declined and said she would take the boat trip instead!
A pleasant ride on the river to York, and with the sun over the yardarm, the consumption of a rum of two was in order. http://www.phrases.org.uk With not a cloud in the sky we spent the day walking around York and visiting the food festival. Lesley purchased some new shoes, remind me not to let her out with Ann again.
After the customary ice cream, we boarded the boat for the return trip, this time I sampled the best part of a good few rums (Suffolk folk will know just how many that is). Once back on site, unfortunately I wasn’t able to do the chip run, due to the rum I had consumed. Pearl took it quite well, and after the first punch I didn’t feel the others. Luckily for me Lord Hallaton volunteered to take Lesley to pick up the fish and chips.
We all gathered around the now glowing fires ready for the entertainment to begin. After a few hiccups Mr Feedback had it under control, and the compere for the evening took to the stage. A multi talented artist and world record balloon modeller called Simmo. He made a duck, Daffy Duck to be precise, all was going well, this was until our Mel (Simmos assist for the evening) pointed out that the duck had a pair of testicles behind its neck and at this point Simmo was completely lost for words.
Mid point there was an interlude for Jacket spuds with various toppings, shortly after the restart Frank took to the stage to present the awards and thank the helpers. This didn’t go too well, as he hadn’t actually got a list of winners. Then we had a period of chat over PA between Simmo and Frank using two microphones, a sort of infill to the proceedings. I can only assume, after some toys were thrown out of the pram, Frank emerged from the control tent and everything was hunky doory, at least I think so. Norrie picked up two awards, UK long distance and best Outfit, Pat and Pauline from Ireland took the Overseas long distance and the Lady who cooked the evening food received an award for her outstanding contribution to the event.
Norrie, still wearing his PJ's receiving one of his two awards.
Pat from Ireland collecting his overseas long distance award from Frank.
There was one friendly dog, running around loose most of the evening quite content in eating your food if you put your plate on the floor at any point, it will probably suffer in the morning as it was eating curry and chilli most of the night. With recycle and rubbish bins next to the toilets, I have never worked out why a few are content to chuck and leave their empty beer cans / bottles on the floor when they go to bed. Thankfully the Viking club and others helped Frank with the tidying up on the Sunday.
Pauline sung in the second half "The night they drove old dixe down"
http:The_Night_They_Drove_Old_Dixie_Down
At around midnight, I can only think, Mr Feedback leant on the volume control as he left, as the music was again, being played over the PA at an extended volume. The site was all lit up with symmetrically arranged rope lights, ball lights and paper bags filled with night lights (amazingly not one caught fire) and the glowing stage lights. Rumour has it, NASA were completely confused as from outer space it looked as if an alien space ship had landed on Earth, Russia had thought it was a new missile site and lunched a TU142 Bear http://www.siberianlight.net/british-air-force-intercept-russian-spy-plane/ to investigate, which was intercepted by a pair of Tornados. The local council thought it was an illegal rave, fortunately for us, Alcaster Malbis has only one part time bobby who patrols on a bike fitted with a Salmson Cyclaid and as he was on his holidays towing a caravan, http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk the planned raid had to be called off.
Only Frank could cause this much commotion, maybe it is because (according to Lesley) he looks a little like Clark Kent, all I know is, he worked like Superman all weekend, and after Lesley saw him in his under pants on the Sunday morning, she said she could definitely see the superman side of things!
Sunday morning after breakfast and it is pack up time and another York event comes to an end. So far every one of these events have been unique, this I can’t help think is only due to Frank the orgainser, who really does deserves a good pat on the back. I can’t wait to see what’s planned for next year.
Martyn
If we go, are no, if we go er, um no, lets see, we are here but we could be there.
Lord Hallaton waiting for his chauffeur.